Netflix has paused early pre-production on the historical epic “Hannibal” due to budgetary concerns, per variety.com.
The war movie, which stars Oscar-winner Denzel Washington as the ancient Carthaginian general and is directed by Antoine Fuqua, was scheduled to begin filming in Italy this summer.
The studio and the film’s producers, who include both Washington and Fuqua, are currently negotiating to resolve the budget issues. Production is expected to resume at the streaming platform once a financial agreement is reached.
The script, written by Academy Award winner John Logan, focuses on the pivotal military battles led by Hannibal against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War. Washington is producing the feature film alongside Fuqua, Erik Olsen, Adam Goldworm, Todd Black and Clayton Townsend. Executive producers include Scott Greenberg, Kat Samick, Katia Washington, Frank Moll and Jeremy Lott.
This project marks the sixth professional collaboration between Washington and Fuqua. The duo previously partnered on the 2001 thriller Training Day, which earned Washington an Oscar, and most recently reunited for The Equalizer 3 in 2023.
The production delay follows a string of high-profile successes for the creators. Washington recently starred in Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, while Fuqua directed the 2026 Michael Jackson biopic Michael. The Lionsgate-backed biopic has so far grossed over $850 million globally against a $155 million budget, establishing itself as one of the biggest box office hits of the year.
•Featured image: Antoine Fuqua & Denzel Washington/Getty Images
